As people age their bodies begin to deteriorate which can lead to the development of many health concerns. Within most person’s lifetimes, they will encounter someone who is affected by an aging health issue. This could be a family member, a friend, or someone from the community. There are seven health concerns that are frequently seen in seniors; they are:
· Arthritis
· Dementia
· Alzheimer’s disease
· Osteoporosis
· Cataracts
· Parkinson’s Disease
· Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Arthritis
The swelling and tenderness of joints. Arthritis leads to joint pain and stiffness, which usually worsen with age. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
There are more than one hundred types of arthritis and it is the leading cause of disability in America. Women are more likely to have arthritis and become a higher risk once they reach menopause, around the age of fifty-five typically. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes that may be visible, knobby finger joints, most often the changes can only be seen through an X-ray. Arthritis can also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin.
Symptoms of Arthritis
· Swelling
· Pain
· Stiffness
· Decreased range of motion
Osteoarthritis (OA)
This is the most common form of arthritis. Occurs when the protective cartilage between your bones wears down over time. Can be in any joint but most effects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the tissues in the body. A tissue called synovium, in your joints, produces a fluid that nourishes the cartilage and lubricates the joints. RA is a disease of the synovium that destroys the joints.
Things that may help
· Weight management
· Getting enough exercise
· Cold or hot press
· Acupuncture
· Medication for pain
· Healthy diet
· Added turmeric to dishes (speak with your doctor first)
· Massage therapy
If you have arthritis or think you might have arthritis speak with your doctor about a treatment plan. Your doctor might suggest you see a specialist.
Dementia
A general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. The term dementia covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is grouped together by abnormal brain changes, a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities that affect a person’s independent function. Also affects behavior, feelings, and relationships.
Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells, it interferes with the ability of a person’s brain cells to communicate with each other. Different sections of the brain are responsible for different functions of the body and mind. Affected functions may be different for each person depending on where the damage is done.
Symptoms of Dementia
· Problems with short term memory
· Problems keeping track of a purse or wallet
· Forgetting to pay bills
· Problems with planning and preparing meals
· Problems remembering appointments
· Struggles when traveling outside of the neighborhood
There is currently no cure for dementia, however, it is found that if you live a healthy lifestyle, exercise does not smoke, and do regular cognitive stimulation, it may decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Cognitive stimulation can include:
· Reading
· Solving math problems
· Exercise
· Writing
Our brains are best stimulated when they do something they do not find easy or while learning something new.
Caring and communicating with a person with Dementia
· Set a positive mood for interaction
· Get the person’s attention
· State your message clearly
· Ask simple. Answerable questions
· Breakdown activities into a series of steps
· Avoid saying things like “you’re wrong” - “do you remember” – “they passed away” – “I told you”
· Instead change the subject or say things like “I remember” and simply repeat what you have already said.
Conditions are progressive, which means that the signs start out slow but get worse over time. Do not ignore any changes in a person’s thinking skills and see a doctor if there are any concerns.
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away and die. Typically starts in the part of the brain that controls memory and can start years before the first symptoms. By the late stages of the disease, the brain has shrunk a lot.
The exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not fully understood. At its core are problems with brain proteins that fail to function normally, disrupt the work of brain cells (neurons) and unleash a series of toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each other, and eventually die.
Researchers focus on two proteins: Plaques and Tangles
Plaques: beta-amyloid is a leftover fragment of a larger protein. When these fragments cluster together, they appear to have a toxic effect on neurons and to disrupt cell-to-cell communication. These clusters form larger deposits called amyloid plaques, which also include other cellular debris.
Tangles: Tau proteins play a part in a neuron’s internal support and transport system to carry nutrients and other essential materials. In Alzheimer’s disease, tau proteins change shape and organize themselves into structures called neurofibrillary tangles. The tangles disrupt the transport system and are toxic to cells.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
· Memory loss
· Loss of thinking and reasoning
· Trouble making judgments and decisions
· Unable to plan or perform familiar tasks
· Changes in personality and behavior
> Depression, Apathy, social withdrawal, mood swings, distrust in others, irritability, aggressiveness.
· Delusions
· Changes in sleeping habits
· Believing something is Stolen
Risk Factors
· Age: 65+
· Family history and genetics
· Down Syndrome: Typically appear 10-20 years earlier, related to having an extra 21st chromosome
· Sex: Women are more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease
· Post head trauma
· Poor sleeping patterns
· Lifestyle and heart health
· Low education levels – less than a high school education
Prevention
· Regular exercise
· Eat a diet of fresh produce, healthy oils, and food with low saturated fat
· Avoid smoking
· Lifelong involvement in learning
Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to affect daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia.
Osteoporosis
A bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. Bones, therefore, become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps. Osteoporosis causes bones become weak and brittle, most common in the hip, wrist, or spine. Bones are living tissues that are constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis happens when the new bone does not keep up with the loss of old bone.
Symptoms
· Back pain
· Loss of height over time
· Stooped posture
· Bone breaks easier than expected
Causes
The likelihood for a person to develop osteoporosis depends partly on how much bone mass they attained in their youth. Peak bone mass is partly inherited and varies by each ethnic group. The higher your peak bone mass, the more bone you have and the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis. The average person reaches their peak bone mass by the age of thirty.
Risk Factors
· Age: most menopause
· Sex: women are more at risk
· Race: white and Asian people are more at risk
· Family history
· Body frame size: smaller bodies are at a higher risk
Hormone Levels
Osteoporosis is more common in people who have too much or too little of certain hormones:
· Sex Hormones: lowered sex hormones tend to weaken bones, the reduction of estrogen levels in women at menopause is one of the strongest risk factors
· Treatments of prostate and breast cancer: reduces levels of testosterone in males and estrogen in women that is likely to accelerate bone loss.
· Thyroid problems: too much thyroid hormone can cause bone loss. This can happen if your thyroid is overactive or if you take too much thyroid hormone meds
· Other glands: also has been associated with overactive parathyroid and adrenal glands
Dietary Factors
· Low calcium intake: a prolonged lack of calcium plays a role in the development of osteoporosis. Low calcium intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss, and an increased risk of fractures
· Eating disorders: severely restricting food intake and being underweight weakens bone in both men and women
· Gastrointestinal surgery: surgery to reduce the size of your stomach or to remove parts of the intestine limits the amount of surface area available to absorb nutrients, including calcium. These surgeries include those to help you lose weight and for other gastrointestinal disorders
· Sedentary lifestyle
· Excessive alcohol consumption: more than two drinks a day regularly
· Tobacco use
· Celiac disease
· Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
· Cancer
· Lupus
· Multiple myeloma
· Rheumatoid arthritis
· Steroids and other medications
Long-term use of oral or injected corticosteroid medications, interferes with the bone, rebuilding process. It is also associated with medications used to combat or prevent:
· Seizures
· Gastric reflux
· Cancer
· Transplant rejection
Complications
Bone fractures, in the spine or hip, are the most serious complications of osteoporosis. In some cases, spinal fractures can occur even if you have not fallen. The bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) can become so weak that they begin to crumble, which can lead to back pain, lost height, and a hunched posture.
Prevention
· Protein: one of the building blocks of bone
· Bodyweight: being underweight increases the chance of bone loss and fractures while having excessive weight increases the risk of fracturing the wrists and arms.
· Calcium: man and women ages 18-50 need 1,000mg of calcium a day then increasing to 1,200mg when women turn 50 and men turn 70.
> Good source of calcium: dairy products, dark leafy greens, canned salmon or sardines with bones, soy products, orange juice.
· Vitamin D: improves the body’s ability to absorb calcium (600-800 IU daily)
· Exercise: helps to build strong bones and control weight, weight-bearing exercise are a large benefit to bone-building
Cataracts
A Progressive, painless clouding of the natural, internal lens of the eye. Blocks light, making it difficult to see clearly, over time it can cause blindness.
Symptoms
· Clouded blurred or dim vision
· Increased difficulty with vision at night
· Sensitivity to light and glare
· Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
· Seeing “halos” around lights
· Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
· Fading or yellowing of colors
· Double vision in a single eye
Causes
Develops through aging or injury, changes the tissue that makes up your eye’s lens. It is commonly an inherited genetic disorder but other eye conditions, past surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes, or long term use of steroid medications.
As you age, the lenses in the eyes become less flexible, less transparent, and thicker. As cataracts develops it becomes denser and a larger part of the lens leading to blurry vision. Cataracts generally develop in both eyes but the development is not even.
Types
Nuclear Cataracts: Affects the center of the lens
Cortical Cataracts: Affects the edges of the lens
Posterior Subscapular Cataracts: Affects the back of the lens
Congenital Cataracts: You are born with it
Risk Factors
· Age
· Diabetes
· Excessive exposure to light
· Smoking
· Obesity
· High blood pressure
· Pervious eye injury or surgery
· Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
· Prolonged use of corticosteroid medication
Prevention
· Regular eye exams
· Stop smoking
· Manage health problems
· Healthy diet
· Wear sunglasses
· Reduce alcohol intake
When to see a doctor
If you notice any changes in your vision contact your eye doctor
Parkinson’s disease
A brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination. It is a nervous system (brain) disorder where the symptoms get worse over time. Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured but medications can help reduce symptoms.
Symptoms
· Tremors
· Slowed movement (bradykinesia)
· Rigid muscles
· Writing changes
· Impaired posture and balance
· Loss of automatic movement
· Speech changes
Causes
Neurons in the brain gradually break down or die. Many symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical message in the brain activity, leading to impaired movement and other symptoms.
Environmental triggers: exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk.
Lewy Bodies: clumps of specific substances in brain cells are microscopic markers
Alpha-syncline in Lewy bodies: a protein in Lewy bodies that cants be broken down
Risk Factors
· Age: 60+
· Heredity
· Sex: men are at higher risk
· Exposure to toxins
Complications
· Thinking difficulties
· Depression and emotional changes
· Swallowing problems
· Chewing and eating problems
· Smell dysfunction
· Pain
· Sleeping problems
· Bladder problems
· Constipation
· Blood pressure changes
· Fatigue
· Sexual dysfunction
Prevention
Since the cause is unknown, known ways to prevent the development of Parkinson’s disease are also unknown.
Research has shown the aerobic exercise may help prevent as well as those who drink caffeinated beverages, coffee, tea or cola, get Parkinson’s disease less often
Currently there is not enough evidence to prove any of these may actually prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
A class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infraction (heart attack). CVD is interchangeable with heart disease and many form of CVD can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.
Types of Cardiovascular disease
Atherosclerotic disease
Heart disease in your blood vessels with different symptoms if you are male or female. May not be diagnosed until you have a heart attack, angina, stroke or heart failure.
· Chest pain, tightness, pressure, discomfort (angina)
· Shortness of breath
· Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in legs or arms
· Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back
Heart Arrhythmias: abnormal heartbeats
· Fluttering in your chest
· Racing heartbeat (tachycardia)
· Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
· Chest pain or discomfort
· Shortness of breath
· Light headedness
· Dizziness
· Fainting (syncope) or near fainting
Heart disease symptoms caused by heart defects
Serious congenital heart defects a person is born with that are usually evident soon after birth
· Pale gray or blue skin colour (cyanosis)
· Swelling in the legs, abdomen or areas around the eyes
· In an infant, shortness of breath during feedings, leading to poor weight gain
Less serious are often diagnosed in childhood of during adulthood in some cases.
· Easily getting shortness of breath during exercise or activity
· Easily tiring during exercise or activity
· Swelling in hands, ankles or feet
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: weak heart muscle
· Breathlessness with exertion or at rest
· Swelling of the legs, ankles and feet
· Fatigue
· Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering
· Dizziness, light headedness and fainting
Heart disease cause by heart infection
Endocarditis is an infection that affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart (endocardium).
· Fever
· Shortness of breath
· Weakness or fatigue
· Swelling in your legs or abdomen
· Changes in your heart rhythm
· Dry or persistent cough
· Skin rashes or unusual spots
Valvular heart disease
The heart has four valves, the aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves. They may be damaged by a variety of conditions leading to narrowing (stenosis), leaking (regurgitation or insufficiency) or improper closing (prolapse)
· Fatigue
· Shortness of breath
· Irregular heartbeat
· Swollen feet or ankles
· Chest pain
· Fainting
Heart disease is easier to treat when detected early, talk to your doctor about any concerns regarding heart health.
Risk Factors
· Age
· Sex: men are at higher risk
· Family history
· Smoking
· Chemotherapy or radiation
· Poor diet
· High blood pressure
· High cholesterol levels
· Diabetes
· Obesity
· Physical inactivity
· Stress
· Poor hygiene
Complications
· Heart failure
· Heart attack
· Stroke
· Aneurysm
· Peripheral artery disease
· Sudden cardiac arrest
Prevention
· Quit smoking
· Control blood pressure and cholesterol
· Control of diabetes
· Exercise at least 30 minutes a day regularly
· Low sodium diet
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Manage stress levels
· Practice good hygiene
Alzheimer's disease. (2018, December 08). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447
Cataracts. (2018, June 23). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790
Dementia vs. Alzheimer's Disease: What is the Difference? (n.d.). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s
Dementia. (2019, April 19). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013
Diagnosing Arthritis (n.d.). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/detail?content=aboutarthritis
Heart disease. (2018, March 22). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
Osteoporosis. (2019, June 19). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351968
Parkinson's disease. (2020, August 07). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055